Announced ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montréal, the initiative brings together experts from sport, technology, government, industry and academia to explore how innovations developed in elite motorsport environments can be translated into real-world transport solutions. The programme reflects a growing trend across global sport where sustainability is increasingly linked not only to environmental responsibility, but also to innovation, infrastructure, governance and long-term societal impact.

The FIA’s latest initiative also reinforces the organisation’s broader positioning as one of the leading governing bodies in global sport when it comes to embedding sustainability, innovation and future mobility into its strategic direction.

From Track to City

At the centre of the 2026 Sustainable Innovation Series is the FIA’s “Track-to-City” concept — an approach designed to transfer high-performance engineering, telemetry and AI-driven systems from the racetrack into urban mobility and public infrastructure.

The FIA believes the same advanced technologies used to optimise race performance can help cities improve transport efficiency, strengthen road safety, reduce emissions and build more resilient mobility systems.

The Montréal launch event, co-hosted with the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), focused specifically on the role of data and artificial intelligence in shaping the future of mobility. Discussions explored how technologies long embedded in Formula One, endurance racing and Formula E can increasingly support sustainable transport planning and infrastructure management in cities around the world.

Speaking about the launch, FIA President H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem said:

“Since its launch, the Sustainable Innovation Series has demonstrated the power of collaboration in driving meaningful progress across motorsport and mobility.

“By bringing this Series to key global events, we are creating a platform that connects expertise from across sport, industry, and government, ensuring that the lessons learned on the track can translate into real-world impact.”

Data, AI and the Future of Sustainable Mobility

The FIA’s approach reflects a wider shift taking place across both sport and transport, where artificial intelligence and advanced analytics are becoming central to sustainability planning and operational performance.

According to the FIA, technologies developed through motorsport can support predictive safety systems, optimise transport infrastructure, improve energy efficiency and strengthen climate resilience.

The organisation also emphasised the importance of governance and responsible data management as connected mobility ecosystems continue to evolve.

Willem Groenewald, FIA Secretary General for Mobility, Sustainability and Tourism, said:

“We are entering a new era where data and artificial intelligence are not just enhancing performance in motorsport, but redefining how we approach sustainability across the entire mobility ecosystem.

“From predictive safety systems to optimised, low-emission transport networks, these technologies are enabling smarter, more resilient infrastructure.”

Groenewald added that the Sustainable Innovation Series is focused on “scaling those innovations beyond the track” and turning “high-performance insight into real-world solutions.”

Montréal as a Sustainable Mobility Hub

The FIA said Montréal was selected as the launch venue because of its strong commitment to ecological transition, climate resilience and sustainable urban development through the Montréal 2030 strategic plan.

The city’s focus on low-carbon mobility systems and climate-focused infrastructure aligns closely with the FIA’s ambition to create scalable mobility solutions with practical applications beyond motorsport.

Tim Shearman, President of the Canadian Automobile Association and FIA Deputy President for Mobility, highlighted the importance of collaboration between local and international stakeholders.

“Canada has built a strong global reputation as a leader in sustainable mobility, innovation and responsible urban development, and Montréal is a powerful example of that in action,” he said.

“Hosting the launch of the FIA Sustainable Innovation Series here reflects both the city’s commitment to climate-focused transport solutions and the importance of collaboration between global and local partners in shaping the future of mobility.”

Following Montréal, the Sustainable Innovation Series will continue at major global motorsport events including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Madrid Grand Prix and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Shanghai.

Innovation Beyond Motorsport

The FIA’s sustainability strategy increasingly positions motorsport not simply as entertainment, but as a platform for technological innovation with broader societal applications.

Through initiatives such as Formula E, Extreme H and sustainable fuels development, the FIA has sought to demonstrate how high-performance competition can accelerate innovation around electrification, safety, energy systems and sustainable transport infrastructure.

The Sustainable Innovation Series expands that vision further by creating a structured platform for knowledge exchange between sport, cities, governments and industry.

Importantly, the FIA’s approach also reflects a broader evolution within international sport, where sustainability is becoming increasingly connected to governance, technological leadership, infrastructure resilience and long-term societal impact rather than solely environmental reporting.

FIA Set to Feature in Top 100 of GSS SPI Index

Within the forthcoming Global Sustainable Sport Sustainable Purposeful Impactful (SPI) Index, the FIA is set to feature among the Top 100 most purposeful sports organisations in the world. Developed using a combination of Agentic AI, large-scale public data analysis and industry expertise, the SPI Index reflects a growing shift towards evidence-led sustainability assessment in sport. The FIA’s own focus on data, artificial intelligence and innovation-driven mobility solutions aligns strongly with this approach, reinforcing its position as one of the leading organisations operating at the intersection of sport, technology and sustainability.

FIA’s work continues to span environmental innovation, governance, partnerships, technology development, education, mobility policy and long-term infrastructure thinking. Through initiatives such as the Sustainable Innovation Series, Formula E, Extreme H and wider sustainable mobility programmes, the organisation is increasingly positioning motorsport as a catalyst for real-world innovation — demonstrating how high-performance engineering, data and collaboration can help address some of the most pressing transport and climate challenges facing society today.